A Canadian court has granted bail to the four Indian nationals charged with the murder of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The four Indian nationals accused – Karan Brar, Amandeep Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh – faced charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
The case has been transferred to the British Columbia Supreme Court, with the next session set for February 11.
Hardeep Nijjar, a well-known advocate for Khalistan, was killed in June 2023 in Surrey, British Columbia. The issue attracted worldwide attention when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that the Indian government had a role in the assassination. India has rejected the claims, labeling them as “groundless”.
In May 2024, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) apprehended four Indian nationals across various locations in Canada. Nonetheless, the prosecution faced criticism for delays in providing evidence during preliminary hearings.
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Court papers reviewed by India Today indicate that all four men were freed under a “stay of proceedings” while they await trial. They presented themselves to the Supreme Court at a hearing on November 18, 2024.
According to court documents, the status of all four defendants was labeled as ‘N’, signifying that they are “not” incarcerated. This indicates that the individuals are not presently in custody and might be free on bail or released under certain conditions as they await additional court actions.
The Canadian government has invoked a “direct indictment,” moving the case from the Surrey Provincial Court to the Supreme Court of British Columbia. This legal tactic avoids a preliminary inquiry, speeding up the case to trial.
